The union conceded there had been a major downturn in coal transported by rail but complained that the company was freezing pay.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "It is clear from the accounts that despite the fact that there has been a downturn in the use of coal that the company is still showing healthy reserves and profits and that a pay rise to keep pace with the cost of living would be a drop in the ocean compared to the numbers on the Freightliner Heavy Haul balance sheet."